Thunder River (ride)

Thunder River is a river rapids ride located at two American amusement parks. The first opened in 1980 at Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas, which was the first of its kind in the world designed by Intamin. The popularity led to other similar installations at various Six Flags theme parks throughout the 1980s. Only two remain, with one operating at Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, Georgia, and the other operating at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka, Missouri.

This article is about the three river rapids at Six Flags amusement parks. For the river rapids at Dreamworld, see Thunder River Rapids Ride.
Thunder River
Thunder River at Six Flags St. Louis.
Six Flags AstroWorld
AreaOriental Village
StatusRemoved
Opening date1980 (1980)
Closing dateOctober 30, 2005 (2005-10-30)
Six Flags Over Georgia
AreaScreamPunk District
StatusOperating
Opening date1982 (1982)
Six Flags St. Louis
AreaGateway To The West
StatusOperating
Opening dateApril 1983 (1983-04)
General statistics
ManufacturerIntamin
Lift system1 lift hill
Restraint styleSeat Belts
Height restriction36 in (91 cm)
Flash Pass Available at both

History

Six Flags AstroWorld and Intamin partnered in 1979 to build the world's first river rapids ride in 1980, which was named Thunder River. The water ride became popular leading to six more installations at other Six Flags theme parks in the 1980s, including Six Flags Over Georgia in 1982 and at Six Flags St. Louis in 1983. Each Thunder Rivers ride featured dual loading stations, reducing load time.

Thunder River at Six Flags AstroWorld was closed throughout the 2001 season, but it reopened in 2002 following a major refurbishment.[1] AstroWorld, and subsequently Thunder River, closed permanently following the 2005 season.[2]

Ride

Once the twelve riders strap themselves into one of the boats, the boat then leaves the station to the man-made river that is shaped like an oval at Over Georgia as well as at the former AstroWorld. The twelve riders at St. Louis' version go through a unique circle around the Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast roller coaster. During all three river rapids, there are different objects in the water which disrupt the flow of the water, thus creating the rapids in the river. All three river rapids feature waterfalls at the end of the ride, thereby getting riders completely soaked. At the end of the ride the boat is taken back to the station by a lift. Thunder River operates from spring to the end of the season in October.

Six Flags St. Louis

The boat makes a right turn where the ride operator interacts with people. Then water comes shooting out of the first sprayer and soaks the riders, then water comes shooting out of the second sprayer and soaks the riders, then the ride operator starts talking and the boat goes through big rapids while making a right turn into a short tunnel. Then the rapids get smaller and smaller as the boat moves forward. Then the boat goes through a long tunnel. And goes through 3 small rapids. Then the boat comes toward a waterfall. Then the boat makes one last right turn and catches onto the conveyor belt lift hill and enters the station.

See also

References
  1. "Thunder River at Six Flags AstroWorld". Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  2. "Houston's AstroWorld theme park to close". September 12, 2005.


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